Literacy Education Professional Development School
(LEPrDS)
Application Materials and Admission Process
Project Director: Dr. Rick Traw
(319)273-2240
rick.traw@uni.edu
*Application materials are also available in the Literacy Education office, SEC 142.
Instructions for Completing LEPrDS Application
APPLICATION FORM
All items on the application form must be completed. Short answer items (items 5-7) should be
typed. You should include your typed responses to these items on a separate page and staple it
directly behind the application form.
ATTACHMENTS
Please include the following items with your completed application form.
• A current copy of your UNI degree audit;
• A copy of a completed background check from the Iowa Department of Criminal
Investigation;
• A copy of a certificate of completion of OSHA Universal Precautions Standards training.
• A Statement of Understanding is included with the application form. Applicants are required
to read this statement and then print, sign, and date it. The original copy of the statement
should be included with your other application materials.
• Letters of Reference: Applicants should have two letters of reference forwarded to the
Literacy Education office. Letters may be mailed or emailed. Please note the following:
1. One letter should be from a UNI instructor or, if you transferred to UNI, from an
instructor at your previous university or college.
2. A second letter should be from a person outside of UNI who knows you well and knows
about your abilities to work with other people (job supervisor, teacher, coach, etc.).
3. If your references send their letters by mail, ask them to use this address:
LEPrDS Reference
Literacy Education Office
Schindler Education Center 142
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0612
Attention: Lori Shannon
4. If your references send their letters by email, ask them to address the letters to
lori.shannon@uni.edu and to use “LEPrDS Reference Letter” as the subject line.
COPIES
It is recommended that students keep a copy of all materials included in their application.
DUE DATE
The completed application form, other required documents, and letters of reference are due in the
Literacy Education office, SEC 142, by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 9.
INTERVIEWS
Applicants who have turned in completed application materials and met all other requirements
for LEPrDS membership requirements will be contacted to schedule an interview with Literacy
Education faculty members. Interviews will take place during the week of October 19.
NOTIFICATION
Applicants will be informed of admission decisions by October 23.
ADMISSION PROCESS
• Advising: Upon being admitted to the LEPrDS cohort, students should immediately contact
the College of Education’s Advising Center to schedule a meeting. Advisors will work with
students to help them register for the LEPrDS sections of classes and to coordinate their
LEPrDS schedule with other classes they need to take. Advising meetings will take place
October 26-29. Students whose last name begins with A-K should contact Jane Bentley
Gadow (call 273-2751, option 5). Students whose last name begins with L-Z should contact
Barb Gager (call 273-2751, option 4).
• Reception/Orientation – A reception and orientation for new cohort members is scheduled for
the evening of Nov. 19. Details will be sent to members following their acceptance into the
program.
If you have questions about the application or admission procedures, please contact Dr. Rick
Traw by email (rick.traw@uni.edu) or telephone (319-273-2240).